Quilt Binding Calculator
Calculate quilt binding: total binding length including the joining allowance, how many strips to cut, and the yardage those strips need.
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What this tool does
Calculate quilt binding: total binding length including the joining allowance, how many strips to cut, and the yardage those strips need. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
How to use the Quilt Binding Calculator
- Enter or select quilt width (inches).
- Enter or select quilt length (inches).
- Enter or select binding strip width (inches).
- Enter or select fabric width.
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
Binding length = 2 x (width + length) + 10 in joining/overlap allowance. Strips = ceil(binding length / usable fabric width); yardage = strips x strip width / 36.
- qw
- Quilt width (inches)
- ql
- Quilt length (inches)
- strip
- Binding strip width (inches)
- fwidth
- Fabric width
Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
Worked example
For quilt binding calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Quilt width (inches): 60; Quilt length (inches): 72; Binding strip width (inches): 2.5; Fabric width: 44.
Inputs
- Quilt width (inches)60
- Quilt length (inches)72
- Binding strip width (inches)2.5
- Fabric width44 in
Result
- Binding length needed (inches)274
- Strips to cut7
- Fabric needed (yards)0.5
- Exact yardage0.49
- Binding length (feet)22.8
Results explained
- Binding length needed (inches)
- Binding length needed (inches) from the formula above. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
- Strips to cut
- Strips to cut from the formula above. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
- Fabric needed (yards)
- Fabric needed (yards) from the formula above. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
- Exact yardage
- Exact yardage from the formula above. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
- Binding length (feet)
- Binding length (feet) from the formula above. Straight-grain binding cut across the fabric width (usable width = fabric width - 2 in). The 10-inch allowance covers diagonal joins and the final overlap; bias binding for curved edges needs more — cut strips on the bias and add 20%.
Frequently asked questions
Measure the perimeter — 2 x (width + length) — and add 10 inches for joins and overlap. A 60 x 72 in quilt needs 274 inches of binding, which is the number this calculator starts from.
Divide the binding length by the usable fabric width (bolt width minus 2 inches) and round up: 274 / 42 = 6.5, so 7 strips. Yardage is strips x strip width: 7 x 2.5 in = 17.5 in, about half a yard.
2.5 inches is the common double-fold binding width (it finishes at about 3/8 in on the front). Use 2.25 in for a slimmer finish or 3 in for thick quilts like flannel.
Diagonal seams between strips consume length, and the final join needs an overlap to measure and close neatly. Running out inches from the end is the classic binding mistake the allowance prevents.
The length and strip count still apply, but bias strips are cut diagonally, so yardage efficiency drops. Add about 20% more fabric, or use a dedicated bias calculation for large projects.